Kate’s Total Fest XIII Top Ten

When Total Fest rears its head, that means a slew of rock is destined to tear through Missoula. And ‘cuz everybody loves a good listicle, here’s the 10 bands I don’t want to miss this year.

1. Treasure Fleet. The dudes in this band come from outfits like Lawrence Arms, The Arrivals and Smoking Popes, but it doesn’t particularly sound like any of those bands. It’s going for more of a psych-garage vibe, which is cool with me. And it’s pretty much the closest I’m getting to seeing Lawrence Arms again this millennium.

2. Al Scorch. I’m most familiar with this Chicago country/Americana singer because Bird’s Mile Home covered one of his songs, and the dudes in Bird’s Mile know them some good songwriting, much like that one Supreme Court judge who definitely knew him some porn.

3. Underground Railroad to Candyland. URTC has played Total Fest a zillion times and even been at Fest in Gainesville both years I’ve been there, and still! I always fucking manage to miss them! But this year, goddammit, I am going to see them.

4. Lord Dying: Everybody knows I drool over this ultra heavy Portland outfit (see: this entire blog, basically) so I am hell of stoked to see them again, since their set at the ZACC back in March was killer. Yea verily, I shall twinkle my fingers and headbang like there is no tomorrow.

5. Lenguas Largas: This psychy Arizona outfit sings about Pepsi, which brings the number of excellent punk songs about Pepsi up to two. Plus, they describe themselves as “guys who range from werewolf looking motherfuckers to dudes with cute ass shoes,” which is the best fucking band description I have read all year.

6. Kitten Forever: These Minneapolis broads are bringing back riot grrrl, god bless ’em, and they sing without their pants on! More punk less pants!

7. Recessions: The keywords to know for this Portland band are “Ass End Offend” and “Squalora,” so sign me up.

8. Wimps: This a supremely kicky three-piece garage rock group excellent for bobbing around like a trout to. Plus, a buddy of mine who lives in Seattle happens to be roommates with the Wimps singer, Rachel. Rachel is also very nice and has a cute cat. Rachel, one time while visiting I used some fancy shampoo that was probably yours. Sorry.

9. Shitty Weekend: This Portland band—which shares members with the totes awesome Taxpayers—has a song that starts “Eat rocks, Mom and Dad!” A-plus.

10. Obnox: I think Erika said it best in her Indy review: “Even as a lover of three-chord punk, I agree that punk feels safer than ever. Listening to songs like “How to Rob (The Punk Years),” where Obnox pairs biting hip-hop with angular guitar riffs, is like hearing punk rock in a parallel universe.”

SPECIAL SUPER BONUS! YEAH YOU DON’T SEE THAT SHIT ON BUZZFEED NOW DO YOU

No. 11: Wolf Eyes. I’ve been told this “kings of U.S. noise” band is weird and awesome to see live. This description from the Weirdest Band in the World blog says: “They’re also fucking terrifying. Not in an obvious Saw VI kind of way. More in a “you might actually go insane listening to this” kind of way.” Whoa dude. In the spirit of keeping Missoula weird, this sounds like one Total Fest band that’s a must-see.

**Full disclosure: I’m a member of the Total Fest committee, and so I have a vested interest in people attending this festival, because pass sales go toward buying every committee member a gold-plated Hummer.

P.S., hey, remember how totally sweet this Red Fang show was last year? Fingers crossed for more excellent mosh-age this year, but hopefully, without sweating out every ounce of liquid in my body. and lol, I am in this video a bunch because YOU CANNOT CONTAIN ME.

§ 2 Responses to Kate’s Total Fest XIII Top Ten

I put on a music fest called the sardine can out in the wilds of Heron, MT and I was wondering if any total fest bands would be willing to participate on Aug.23rd. We would be greatfull for some info on some kick ass bands?